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Thursday, February 3, 2011

Fixed Aperture, how I long for thee...

I learned that I desperately want a zoom lens with a fixed aperture. I was photographing a friend's baby last week and WOW was I ever frustrated. It is very difficult to photograph a 6 month old in manual when every time you zoom in or out your aperture changes affecting the other settings. I did it, but it wasn't easy. At least, he was on a plain background, so the DOF (depth of field) or lack thereof, didn't play as big of a role.

Hue/Saturation adjustment layer--increased yellow sat. (4) and red sat. (2). From Ashley, I have learned that a photo typically needs the yellows decreased, but while playing around I realized the fruit and crackers popped more if I increased the yellows.

Levels adjustment layer--increased midtones (1.26) and blacks (23)

applied white layer mask to levels adjustment layer and removed the effect from the food (brush at 80% opacity).

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one struggling with the aperture thing. Little ones are so hard to shoot, because they move and you have to keep adjusting, and this little guy's dark vest really must have changed things up when you moved closer. You did great, though!

Oh man! I can't believe you just have the kit lens! That is such a challenge. You should be proud of yourself for the photos you have captured with that sucker :O) Hope you can get your hands on a zoom with a fixed aperture. If not, I recommend the 50mm 1.8! I love that bad boy!